Corrugated Pipe Connection Fitting With Form-Fit Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection fittings for corrugated pipes or hoses in environments with varying mechanical stress and limited space are inadequate in withstanding mechanical stress, difficult to install, and require complex sealing mechanisms, especially when used in areas prone to fluid or solid ingress.

Innovation Solution

A connection fitting with an elastically deformable sealing body that adapts to the changing diameter of corrugated pipes or hoses, featuring a clamping body that secures the sealing body radially and axially, providing a form-fit seal through webs or lamellae that follow the pipe's corrugations, and additional features like a collar and kink protection to ensure secure attachment and prevent unintentional disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sheathed cable with grommet is used for sealed penetration, then sealing at the penetration point is achieved, but the installation is difficult to monitor and the cable is not robust enough to withstand high mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidinstallation monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A separate monitoring device with visual indicators serves as an intermediary between the installation process and the installer. The device includes a monitoring opening that allows visual inspection of cable insertion depth and proper seating of the sealing grommet, enabling easy monitoring without complex instrumentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual conductors are routed separately after being fed through, then flexibility in routing is improved, but limited space available for separating them within the protected room creates installation difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection fitting is designed with multiple separately accessible openings in its housing, allowing individual conductors to be routed through separate paths after the cable penetrates the wall. This segmentation enables flexible routing of individual conductors within the protected room without requiring extensive space for cable separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If cable guides with varying diameter are used, then flexibility and handling are simplified, but the connection fitting becomes more complex to accommodate the varying diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling flexibilityVSAvoidconnection fitting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection fitting incorporates an elastic sealing element that can change its parameters (shape and size) to adapt to the varying diameter of corrugated cable guides. The sealing element is designed to be compressible and flexible, allowing it to conform to the outer contour of the cable guide regardless of its specific diameter or corrugation pattern, thereby simplifying the overall connection fitting design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a robust, easy-to-install connection that maintains a seal under mechanical stress and in environments with changing diameters, reducing installation complexity and ensuring reliable protection against fluid and solid ingress, while minimizing the need for additional sealing at the point of penetration.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting fitting has an elastically deformable sealing body through which the end region of the pipe or hose can be inserted so that the end region received in the connecting fitting is radially enclosed by the sealing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The clamping element has a section with an opening, located transversely to the longitudinal axis of a pipe or hose received in the connection spigot, through which the pipe or hose passes. In the assembled or fixed state, this section compresses and/or compresses at least part of the sealing element radially enclosing the hose in an axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3798489B1Connection fitting for the detachable fastening of a pipe or hose
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 NEXANS SA

AI summary

A connecting fitting (100) for the detachable fastening of a pipe or hose (102) with a diameter that changes in a wave-like manner at least in one end region (104) received in the connecting fitting (100) comprises an elastically deformable sealing body (110) extending axially over two or more waves (106) of the end region (104), through which the end region (104) of the pipe or hose (102) can be inserted, so that the end region (104) is radially enclosed by the sealing body (110).The connection fitting also includes a connection spigot (120) with a core cavity enclosed by a wall, with an insertion opening for receiving one end of the pipe or hose (102) and the sealing body (110) pushed over the end region of the pipe or hose (102), and a passage opening opposite the insertion opening, as well as a clamping body (104) that overlaps the connection spigot (120) on the outside and can be fixed to the connection spigot (120) in an assembly end position.